Eric Goode Grabbing Magic Castle

Let's fly out to the Left Coast to discuss a juicy rumor from our friends at HotelChatter. It seems that New York hotelier Eric Goode has his eyes on the mysterious Magic Castle in the heart of Hollywood, and Sean MacPherson may not be part of it. So who is the replacement? According to HC, it may be New York City's own Serge Becker. What a tag team!

So what do we think? From our own experience, the Magic Castle is a one of a kind property, a proper magician's club with an established hotel already operating next to it, plus a sushi restaurant boasting one of a kind views across the Los Angeles sky. However, it has been rather down and out over the past decade. This project reeks of Goode/Macpherson; rehabbing an existing property and making it a destination, and the castle architecture could make it the next Chateau Marmont. Uh, maybe not that far. We are just surprised to see Becker possibly replacing MacPherson on this one. Hope everything is ok with the dynamic duo.

The Woes of Socialista

There are thousands of cabs in Manhattan, but last night we stepped into the best. After giving our driver our cross streets, not only did he speak New York English, but also knew what was at that address. Our cabbie then began to regale us with stories about New York City nightlife, both past and present, and by the end we wanted to hire him to join this here site.

One of the most interesting tales we heard involved Socialista, Armin's snazzy little Cuban joint in the far West Village. According to our cabbie, even before the Hep A incident, Socialista was having trouble drawing the nightlife elite. It wasn't because of the location, the tight door, or the prices (although they probably all contribute), but because Armin ran such a clean joint. He has actively kept any known drug dealers out of the club, which means that his customers who dabble in that thing either choose not to come, or have to leave when the booze starts to make them sleepy. The club was in trouble before that, and this Hep A scare will either be the nail in the coffin or a real wake up call for him to change his ways.

Now, this was just the story that our cabbie told us. But the guy knew his stuff. A lot of stuff. And from our experiences at Socialista, the place is definitely on the level. But we will let you our readers make up your own mind. And don't feel too bad for Armin, Harvey W. and Cirpriani - we know a few hotel guys that would probably be happy to take that lease off their hands.

And when we asked the cabbie for his card, he politely told us "no", saying "you either already have it or you get lucky enough to get in my cab. I don't give my number to no one." And that's that.

Riverview Getting It's Demo On

Courtesy of our friends at HotelChatter, things are moving right along at Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's newest hotel venture, the Riverview. Interior demolition has begun, and we have to believe they are making moves to try and clear the remaining tenants. We have also come to learn that the dynamic duo is going to turn the magnificent tower overlooking the water into a lounge. Very cool, if they decide to let anyone in or serve non-guests drinks. But we also wonder what their tenants at Socialista are feeling? More on this to come.

Goode and McPherson Buy a Riverview

After some joint work by DBTH and our friends at HotelChatter, the HC crew comes in with the final blow. Eric Goode and Sean McPherson, the hottest boutique hotel company this side of Jason Pomeranc, have apparently come to terms on the Riverview Hotel. According to an HC tipster:

The Riverview Hotel was purchased by Sean and Eric for approx $33.0 Million recently. The Hotel is an SRO (Single Room Occupancy), which means that none of the rooms have their own bathrooms, sinks, kitchens or even basic amenities.

The reason they are not accepting any reservations is b/c they would like to begin the process of removing any and all long term residents, most of which are homeless, drug addicts and drunks---similar to those you would find in the Whitehouse on the Bowery.

By not allowing any new "guests" they limit their risk and exposure for new problems. They will have a very difficult time removing most of the long-term stays, especially since there are strict laws prohibiting the harassment of such individuals.

Excellent point. But when there is a financial will, there certainly is a physical way. May we suggest hiring the Pinkertons, who we hear have been slowly rebuilding their forces somewhere in the mountains of West Virginia, waiting to be called on once again.

A Socialist(a) Hotel!

Tis the season for sharing, so we were excited when our friends from HotelChatter checked in yesterday with a rumor they had heard a month back, saying "we hear that some undercover construction work has started at the Hotel Riverview at 113 Jane St." They also wonder if the Riverview is "Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's new project." Oh, you mean this new project? What the HC team missed is that a certain doorman opened a certain Cuban themed bar and cafe in the Riverview basement. We're talking Socialista, and if this is true then we have found a mega project. It would fit with Goode and McPherson's penchant for rehab projects, but losing out on the bar/restaurant space with an already established operator is a tough sell for hoteliers that thrive on food and beverage service. Calls to the Riverview were met with expected gruffness, but we hope to learn more in the coming days. Happy Friday.

Breaking News: Goode and McPherson Strike Again

Breaking news from boutique hotel land. We have long heard rumors that Eric Goode and Sean McPherson, stars of such projects as the Bowery Hotel and the Lafayette House Hotel, were working on deals for additional downtown hotel properties. Well, great success. The boys have apparently settled on their next project, with a Little Birdy who is most definitely in the know reporting, "Sean McPherson and Eric Goode have closed the deal on a new hotel. It will be 'boutique-y' and in the West Village." That's it? Nothing more? Well, not yet, because the project is a wee bit sensitive. We expect to learn more soon, or have one of the so-called reporters from a major paper just steal our headline and go snoop around for answers. Because that's how they do. Happy fing holidays.

Bricks in the Wall

Last week, we briefly mentioned the materials that are being used at the Bowery Hotel's second story bar. It's time to revisit them. There is a bit more to discuss. Ready?

1. The boys scored an entire building's worth of vintage bricks from a nearby building site. Cost? $3000. Actual retail cost today would have been 7 figures.
2. Srs. Goode and McPherson (along with others) scoured the surrounding area (venturing to other states) for vintage materials that could be incorporated.
3. When said materials were found, the space was redesigned if necessary. This happened multiple times. It helps keeps the workers on their toes.
4. The tiling is pretty slick ta boot. (ta boot!)

Like we said before, the entire thing is more than a home run. It's a grand slam. If only they would let us in.

15' Above the Bowery

There has been some wild speculation this week about the status of the second floor/roof top space at the Bowery Hotel. After first disclosing some general facts about the room, we are now ready to share a bit more. But DBTH, how do you have more to share? We thought it wasn't open? Well, it isn't open. But they are preparing to open. Last week we happened to be given an all access tour of the space. Aren't you lucky? Let's begin.

1. The space is huge, and the indoor/outdoor quality is beyond unique for a lounge in the city.
2. Fungibility. This space has it. A capability to have a private party, large or small, and still be open to the public.
3. Pool tables.
4. Vintage materials, corralled from some unlikely sources. (More on this later)
5. Bars fabricated by a master European craftsman.
6. POS systems behind said bars. This baby is ready for commerce.

Take a minute to catch your breath. Better? Good. A bit more patience and admittance will be granted. In the meantime, may we suggest you hug a cop? We said it. Hug a cop.

Quick Change at the Bowery

Remember that stealth Japanese restaurant we told you about? The one that was being planned for the basement of the Bowery Hotel? Well, it seems things have changed just a little bit. Our little birdy from Miami checks in (Hello stranger) and let's us know, "Sean and Eric were in Miami a bit ago, hanging out with their buddy Andre B. They were so impressed with his hotel spa that they are building one at the Bowery in what was planned restaurant space." Translation: Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson were hanging out with Andre Balazs in Miami and are now using his spa as an inspiration for their hotel. See ya Japanese restaurant. That's OK by us. We have more than enough overpriced sushi joints.

Editor's Note: Normally, this would call for a Flogging, but we were initially correct. We can't help it if they change their fickle little minds.

Inside: Lafayette House Hotel

After only being able to glimpse at the outside of Eric Goode and Sean McPherson's other and totally super secret hotel just off the Bowery, we have finally been granted access. Well, virtual access. A little birdy directed us to the now live site for the Lafayette House Hotel, which is in a word, slick. How slick you ask? Well, each of the 15 rooms has its own working fireplace, C.O. Bigelow (who?) amenities and 500 thread sheets. That's a lot of mofo threads! Reservations are now being accepted, but only if you send the good folks at LHH an email. We live here, so don't expect us to do it.

The Other Bowery Hotel

Lost in the frenzy over the Bowery Hotel, another Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode hotel has flown way under the radar to become the most sought after reservation in the downtown hotel scene. The 15 room hotel is so stealth that we aren't sure what the name is. A previous guest told us he had the pleasure of staying at the Lafayette House, while it may also be the Blackwell House Hotel. Who knows and who cares! The 15 room hotel, directly next to the fossil known as B Bar, was originally slated to be a private guest house for the friends of MacPherson and Goode. It will now be open to the public. Well, the right kind of public, since we can't find a number anywhere. We did, however, get a snap of the buzzer system, which you can look at below.

As always, we would love some more info, so please feel free to drop us a line.